Crohn's Disease: Symptoms, Types, Causes Diagnosis and Treatment (1)

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Crohn's Disease
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Crohn's Disease

• Crohn's disease is a painful, recurrent, chronic
  inflammatory bowel disease that affects the ileum
  (last part of the small bowel ileitis and
  enteritis) or colon. It starts with small,
  burning ulcers, which slowly lead to highly
  ulcerated walls of bowel. The walls of the bowel
  start thickening which results in narrowing of
  the bowel making it difficult for the bowel to
  perform its functions properly. People of all
  ages and sexes can develop this disorder. A study
  shows that it is basically widespread in people
  with fair complexion. Even though it does not
  differentiate between children, teens, or old
  people, it is evident that most of the patients
  of this disease are people belonging to the young
  generation.

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Causes of Crohn's disease

• Although the origin of this disease is not
  known, many doctors relate it with the bacteria
  that grow in the gut. Not all the bacteria seem
  to be responsible for this, but a few
  inflammation-causing ones are thought to be among
  the main players. It is also thought to be
  hereditary, as people in the same family are
  found to be suffering from this irritating
  disease. Few studies also show that it is caused
  due to the internal problems of the body, and our
  immune system plays an important role in inducing
  the inflammatory condition of the colon,
  intestines, small bowel etc.

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Types of Crohn's disease

• If not taken care in its early stages, this
  disease may spread to other parts of the bowel.
  The inflammation can grow and spread out in the
  areas, like duodenum or the stomach. It may lead
  to liver and kidney damage, and it is also
  associated with spondylitis (generally, ankylosing
  spondylitis). As the disease is mainly
  characterized by inflammatory ulcers, it also can
  cause diseases related to the skin and all
  openings of the body, like eyes,
  anus, vagina etc. It can be classified in the
  following types
• Crohn's ileitis
• Crohn's colitis (also known as colonic Crohn's
  disease)
• Ileocolic Crohn's disease
• Peri-anal Crohn's disease

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Symptoms

• Severe, recurrent pain in the infected area of
  the intestinal tract and the abdomen
• Frequent attacks of diarrhoea that contains blood
• Fever
• Indigestion
• Malnutrition
• Slow physical growth (in children)
• Mental frustration (due to regular
  hospitalization)
• Nausea
• Weakness

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Symptoms
Continue

• Weight loss (due to ongoing fatigue and drainage
  of energy from the body)
• Formulation of fistula (draining sinus tract) in
  various parts of body, like skin, anal area,
  vaginal area etc.
• Urinary infections (due to fistula)
• Inflammation in the affected part of body
• Bleeding of the ulcers in the intestinal tract
  (in rare cases)

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Diagnosis of Crohn's disease

• Although there are many tests available, a single
  one alone cannot completely confirm to the
  existence of this condition. This makes it
  necessary for the doctors to rely on the
  integrated results of several tests.
• As already mentioned above, it has been found
  that the disease exhibits hereditary linkage,
  therefore, information about your health and your
  family history can surely help your doctor in
  coming to a conclusion.
• A blood test may be conducted in order to check
  various blood related problems such as anaemia,
  deficiency of various important vitamins and
  minerals, etc.
• Colonoscopy may be performed for direct
  visualization of the colon and the terminal ileum
  from the intestinal tract. A sample of the
  affected tissue may be removed for biopsy.

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Diagnosis of Crohn's disease
Continue

• CT and MRI scans may be suggested to understand
  the overall condition, and the complications that
  may occur due to the spread of disease from the
  infected area to the surrounding area.
• Barium-Follow Through test may be performed to
  complement the colonoscopy, by allowing
  visualization of the small intestinal area.
• Your doctor may also decide to take help of
  advanced technology in order to insert a capsule
  shaped micro device with a camera in your
  intestine to capture real time images of
  your gastrointestinal tract.

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Treatments

• Crohn's disease  is very painful and may be
  incurable. It requires the patient to pay 100
  attention towards his/her health, and understand
  the importance of a healthy and proper diet.
  After studying your condition, your doctor might
  suggest you treatments such as medications
  (anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants,
  steroids, antibiotics etc.). Surgical
  intervention for removal of the infected areas
  may be prescribed in severe cases.

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